Pitching Highlights Saturday Baseball

Pitching Highlights Saturday

In the early going, the results of high-priced or top line pitchers are scrutinized like an NFL quarterback after one game. If he has one bad game, all the local radio talk shows are flooded with calls, complaining this pitcher is over-paid, overrated or just not that good. The other day, baseball analyst Steve Phillips of ESPN and former general manager of the New York Mets, offered his opinion on pitchers starting in April. To paraphrase what he said, it is best for people to not get too excited about exceptionally good or bad performances, since at the end of the season, great pitchers will be great, good pitchers will be good and bad pitchers will be bad.

The best pitching matchup of the day has an early start with Toronto’s Roy Halladay (1-0, 6.43 ERA) facing reigning AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee (0-1, 12.6). Halladay pitched six quality innings before slipping in the seventh, but as per usual, helped his team win in the season opener. Lee was bombed by Texas in his initial outing, which followed up rugged spring training, having almost identical ERA. Lee threw 223.3 innings last year, thus the Indians front office is somewhat concerned about his start to the season.

Cleveland opened as -115 money line favorite at Bookmaker.com and Lee and the Tribe are 18-6 in his last 24 starts at home. Halladay and Toronto are 9-4 as visitors and 42-19 when “Doc’s” on normal rest.

A couple of American League pitchers, who are being heavily counted on could also use a bounce back effort. Jason Verlander (0-1, 19.64) worked extensively to get mechanics back in order, but allowed four runs in the opening frame and was chased letting four more runners touch home plate three innings later. Coming off an 11-17 season, Verlander needs to throw strikes with something other than the fastball and his breaking stuff betrayed him early. Detroit’s a -165 money line choice, but the Tigers and Verlander are only 4-9 against teams with winning records.

Last season, C.C. Sabathia (0-1, 12.46) was in Cleveland, pitching to earn a big contract and was trying too hard. Once it became obvious he wasn’t going to have the kind of pay stub we wanted in Cleveland, he settled down and was traded to Milwaukee, where he was fantastic. Those efforts got Sabathia the huge dollars, however, different, yet similar pressure arise, now feeling like he has to pitch up to current contract. In shaky opening against Baltimore, the big left-hander was often taking deep breaths trying to relax himself, which never really worked. He’ll be matched against a Kansas City team that has won nine of last 12 home games, but the Bronx Bombers have been more than holding there own with 28-11 Saturday record. New York is a -200 road favorite.

The Chicago Cubs exhaled, after Carlos Zambrano (1-0, 1.50) pitched six-plus innings against Houston, striking out six and allowing just one run. The velocity and sharp breaking pitches were back, giving Cubs fans and bettors reason for optimism. Big Z returns to a place of great personal triumph, Miller Park, where last Sept. 14 and he threw a no-hitter against the Houston Astros, in a game moved because of Hurricane Ike. The Cubs play again in Milwaukee and are 23-10 on the road and with Zambrano pitching are 37-14 in the visiting uniforms.

Felix Hernandez (1-0, 1.13) tweaked his ankle in Minnesota, yet showed maturity in working thru it, surrendering just one run over eight innings. He worked out of few wicked jams, utilizing his high-90’s heater and devastating slider. Hernandez is still 24 years old, having had a birthday this week and last year showed a willingness to pitch inside for the first time in his career. King Felix is 7-4 with a 2.56 ERA against Oakland and the Mariners are 9-3 when he pitches on the road if opposition is .500 or better.